Boat propulsion device



July 11, 1967 o. KLABUNDE 3,330,245

BOAT PROPULSION DEVICE Filed oct. 21, 1965 s sheets-sheet 1 July 11, 1967 o. KLABUNDE 3,330,245

BOAT PRoPULsIoN DEVICE Filed Oct. 2l. 1965 'o' Sheets-Sheet IN V EN T 0R.

O. KLABUNDE BOAT PRoPULsIoN DEVICE July 11, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 2l, 1965 United States Patent O 3,330,245 BOAT PROPULSION DEVICE Otto Klabunde, 5242 Bei-teau Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60641 Filed Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 499,835 19 Claims. (Cl. 11S-21) This invention relates to a `device for propelling a boat.

The boat propelling device of the invention serves to provide a versatile means for rowing or paddling a boat, such as a rowboat or iishing boat, while the operator of the device faces the bow of the boat. Since the operator can face the direction of boat movement, he can accurately and effective control the direction of the boat at all times. The device also enables the operator of the boat to propel the craft with a minimum of exertion.

The propelling device of the invention utilizes a pair of elongated sliding rod which are mounted adjacent the ygunwales on the port and starboard sides of the both. A paddle unit is secured to each of the sliding rod between the rod mountings. Each paddle unit includes a blade portion adapted to be submerged in water along side of the boat. The blade of the paddle is connected to a shaft portion which projects from the water. The projecting end of the shaft is secured to a swivel arrangement which permits the rotation of the blade and shaft in one plane and swiveling of the blade and shaft in a second plane. The swivel arrangement is connected to the sliding rod which can be rotated in still a third plane.

Although the paddle is connected to a sliding rod which is slideably mounted adjacent the gunwales of the boat, it can be reciprocated in a plane parallel to the keel of the boat; it can be ltilted upwardly to withdraw the blade from the water; it can be swiveled 360 in a plane normal to the plane of tilt; and the paddle can be rotated 180 in a plane lgenerally normal to the swiveling plane thereby directing the blade of the paddle upwardly and permitting it to be housed in the boat. The propelling device of the invention, therefore, enables an operator to freely and easily move the paddle in any direction and to move the blade of the paddle from a fully housed position within the boat to a submerged reciprocating motion in the water and an infinite number of intermediate positions.

A yoke member connected to the shaft and spanning the swivel device carries a saddle member which straddles and engages the pusher rod. This construction serves to stabilize the shaft of the device and to prevent the swiveling of the paddle while it is being reciprocably operated in propelling the boat. The saddle member, however, is simply disengaged from the pusher rod by rotation of the shaft in a direction normal -to the swiveling plane.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention shall become more fully apparent from the following description of the dra-wings illustrating presently preferred embodiments thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a transverse sectional View of a boat and the propulsion device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view of the starboard side of the boat of FIG. 1 illustrating the paddle and control construction with the paddle in a housed position with respect to the boat;

FIG. 3 is a partial top view of the control construction of the paddle taken between lines 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional View of the construction of the pusher rod mounting `on the boat taken along lines 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial top view of the paddle and control construction of the invention illustrating the paddle shaft in housed position;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6 6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the swivel construction of the invention taken along lines 7 7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the swivel construction of FIGS. 5 and 7 taken along lines 8 8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view yof the swivel base taken along lines 9 9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion of the swivel of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a portion of the swivel of FIG. 8.

As is shown in the drawings, the boat propulsion device of the invention is designed for use with a boat, such as a row-boat, which may be operated by one or more persons. Referring particularly to FIG. 1, a common rowboat, generally designated 1, is shown having top sides 2 and port and starboard gunwales 3 and 4, respectively. The topsides 2 are connected at the stern of the boat by a transom 5. A thwart or seat 6 spans the cockpit of the boat and is supported between the port 'and starboard sides by support members 7. A pair of paddles, generally designated S and 9, are mounted adjacent the port and starboard gunwales 3 and 4, respectively.

The paddles 8 and 9, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, include generally rectangular blades '10 which are secured by bolts 11 to shafts 12. It is preferred that the shafts be fabricated from aluminum although other lightweight metals and construction materials such as wood, which are commonly used in the boating industry, can also be employed. As is shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, each shaft 12 is formed with elongated parallel flat sections 13 to facilitate stowage as will be more fully ldescribed below. Each shaft 12 is conected to a second angularly disposed shaft 14 by an elbow 15 as illustrated in FIGS. l and 2. Rubber rollers 16 are rotatably connected to shafts 14, as shown in FIG. 1, and are adapted to engage the edge of port and starboard gunwales .3 and 4 and to roll therealong. Shaft 14 is further provided with a directional control device, generally designated 17, which will be more fully described below. The outermost end of shaft 14 is provided with a gripping handle 19.

The directional control devices 17 connected to paddles 8 and 9, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1 and more clearly in FIG. 2, are also connected to elongated pusher rods 20. These pusher rods are supported in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boat for reciprocating sliding motion upon mounting brackets generally designated 21 and 22.

Since both paddles 8 and 9 and associated features are essentially the same, it is understood that all further description with respect to the starboard side of the boat applies equally to the port side of the boat. As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, mounting bracket 21 which is positioned near the stern of the boat consists of a vertically extending flanged plate 23 which is secured to starboard gunwale 4 `by a bolt 24. A plate 25 extending into the cockpit of the boat is `bolted to plate 23 and is positioned in generally normal relationship with plate 24. A clamp member 26 having a generally circular opening is secured to plate 25 in generally vertically relationship therewith. A cylindrical sleeve 27 is firmly inserted into the circular opening of clamp 26 and projects from both sides of the clamp 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the pusher rod 20 is inserted into and through the sleeve 27 which acts as an elongated bearing surface for the rod as the rod is reciprocated axially forward and backward with respect to t-he clamp 26. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, a cylindrical rod stop 28 is secured to rod 20 adjacent the directional control device 17 to prevent the pusher rod from being moved beyond the bracket 21 at the point of connection of the Astop 28 to the rod.

The mounting bracket 22 is positioned near the bow of the boat and, as may be best viewed in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, consists of a anged plate 29 which is secured to the starboard gunwale 4 of the boat by a bolt 36. A transverse plate 31 is secured to the top portion of flange plate 29 and projects from the gunwale into the cockpit of the boat. A clamp element 32 is secured to the top of transverse plate 31 by a bolt 33. The clamp element 32 includes a circular opening which is positioned on the boat in axial alignment with the opening of the clamp 26 of mounting bracket 21. A portion of clamp element 32 extending into the cockpit of the 'boat is provided with a yoke 34 defining a shaft supporting recess 35 into which a portion of flat section 13 of shaft 12 can be inserted. As in the case of mounting bracket 21, an elongated cylindrical y sleeve 36 is positioned within the opening of the clamp element 32 and projects axially from both sides of the clamp. The opposite end ofV pusher rod 20 is inserted into the sleeve and projects from it. The sleeve then acts in cooperation with sleeve 27 of mounting bracket 21 as a bearing surface for the reciprocation of pusher rod 20 between starboard mounting brackets 21 and 22. As is shown in FIG. 6, an adjusting nut 37 is threaded into the top portion of clamp element 32 to firmly secure sleeve 36 against lateral movement with respect to clamp 32. Such a nut can also be used in connection with clamp 26 and sleeve 27.

When inserted into -sleeves 27 and 36 and supported between mounting brackets 21 and 22 respectively, pusher rod 20 can be smoothly and reciprocably moved between the brackets during the operation of the paddle. The stop 28 will prevent the rod 20 from moving toward the stern of the boat and beyond the point of contact of the stop 28 with sleeve 27 while the forward `or bow movement of the rod will bestopped by the engagement of the directional control device 17 with sleeve 36.

4 them to be rotated in a 360 degree arc defining a swiveling plane.

With the swivel arrangement provided between the interconnected blocks 4i? and 42, paddle 9 can be freely rotated in a 360 degree plane which is essentially tangent to theA surface of rod 20. Since block 42 is connected to the shaft 14 of paddle 9 in a manner such that the shaft can be axially rotated with krespect to the block 42, the

paddle can be rotated in a plane which is generally normal to the plane defined by the swiveling Lplane. The rod 20, which is reciprocable between brackets 21 and 22 and the bow and stern of the boat, can also be rotated axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the boat. This pusher rod rotation permits the paddles to be tilted upwardly, as paddle 8 in FIG. 1, and thereby permits movement of the paddle in still another plane.

To align shaft 14 of paddle 9 with respect to block 42 and to prevent the lateral movement of the shaft with Y respect to the block, a yoke member 50 having legs 51 and 52 positioned on opposite sides of block 42 is rigidly clamped to shaft 14 by bolts 53. As is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 7, Va saddle member 54 is formed on the leg connecting portion vof yoke member 50 and projects from the yoke member at' an angle generally normal to the plane of the yoke member. A recess 55 is provided by the legs forming saddle 54 and is adapted to be positioned in straddling engagement with cylindrical stop 28 of push- Referrinv particularly to the directional control device Y 17 illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 8, it can be seen that the directional control device 17 consists of a block 40 into which opposite ends of rod 20 are threaded as specifically shown in FIG. 8. Block 40, therefore, is rigidly secured to pusher rod 2i). The lower portion of block is recessed to receive a radially extending pivot pin 41. Pivot pin 41 is inserted into a recess provided in a second block 42 which is connected to paddle shaft 14 in a manner such that the shaft can be freely axially rotated about its own axis with respect to block 42. Referring to FIG. 8, block 42, which is shown in cross section in FIG. 1l, projects upwardly toward block 40. The portion-of block V42, as'can be seen in FIGS. l0 and 1l, is formed with an annular raised portion 43. A flat plate 44 having a circular opening complementing the configuration of annular raised portion 43 is mounted for rotation on block 42 with annular raised portion 43 projecting into the opening and with the outermost surfaces of therraisedV portion being flush with the outermost surfaces of the plate. A circular plate 45 having a diameter slightly larger 'than the diameter of annular raised portion 43 of block 42 and smaller than the transverse dimension of plate pin 41 between raised porti-on 43 and plate 45.

Referring again particularly to FIG. 8 and also FIG. 9, the circular plate 45 having anV enlarged diameter is inserted into a circular recess provided in the lower end of uppermost the flat plate 44 is freely rotatable about the axis of pivot t block 40 and pivot pin 41 is inserted into the recess of block 40 provided therefor. Freely rotatable flat plate 44 is rigidly secured to the underside of block 40 by bolts 48. Plate 44 and block 40 may now freely rotate about the axes of pivot pin 41, raised portion 43 and plate 45. This therefore results in the production of a freely rotatable swivel joint between blocks 4t) and 42 and permits er rod 20, as is shown in FIG. 1, when the paddles are positioned for longitudinal reciprocating motion with respect to the axis of the boat. While yoke member 50 maintains the position of paddle shaft 14 with respect to block Y42, saddle'member 54 when positioned in straddling engagement with stop 28, las shown in FIG. 1, effectively stabilizes the paddle and prevents it from swiveling with respect to pusher rod 20 and thereby-facilitates efficient reciprocating padding motion.

As is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the gripping handle 19 of the paddle is connected to the end of paddle` shaft 14 by a clamp 56. In operation in the position shown in FIG. 1, the operator of the boat grasps gripping handlesV 19 and tilts both paddles downwardly until the rollers 16 connected to each of the paddle shafts 14 engage the sides of the boat in the manner shown with respect to paddle 9 of FIG. l. Assuming that the rods 20 and paddles are now in their forwardmost position in the boat, the operator then pulls the paddles from bow to stern and thereby moves rods 20 and paddles 8 and 9 toward the stern of the boat. While using the paddles, the operator may face forward in the boat and may therefore propel the boat in a forward direction as the paddles move Ytowards the stern of the boat and the operator faces his objective. Since thel only energy lost in the reciprocating movement of the paddles is that dueto friction of pusher.

rodsV 20 and sleeves 27 and 36 and the rollers'16 acting against the boat, the energy required to move the boat is substantially less than that which would be required to move a boat utilizing conventional paddles or oars pivotally mounted on the gunwales. The substantial energy lost between the hand grip and pivot point in the latter type and rods then moved to their forwardmost positions in the boat and are tilted downwardly into the ywater for the return stroke. When the rowing or paddling operation has been completed and it is desired to stow the paddles until the boat will be used again, each of the paddles may be tilted upwardly in a plane perpendicular to the axis of its respective rod 20, as shown in FIG. l, utilizing the rotatability of pusher rodV 20. Each of the saddle members 54 of yokes Sil-is then rotated about 180 degrees and in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the paddles utilizing hand grips 19. The paddle blades 1i) are directed by this rotation from a downward position, as shown in FIG. l, to an upwardly extending position. Since the saddle members 54 are now withdrawn from engagement with locks 28 and the rods Ztl, the paddles can be swivelled in planes generally normal to the planes of rotation of paddle shafts 14. And, the at sections 13 of paddle shafts 12 can be aligned with and inserted into shaft support recesses 35 formed in the yokes 34 of clamp elements 32. This thereby firmly secures the paddle 'm the cockpit of the boat in readiness for subsequent use.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims, particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. A boat propelling device adapted to be connected to a boat comprising a rod reciprocably secured to spaced guide means, swivel means secured to the rod, a paddle having a blade and an elongated shaft connected to the swivel means whereby the paddle may be swiveled in a plane other than that of the plane of reciprocation of the rod, means rotatably connecting the shaft of the paddle to the swivel means for rotation of the paddle and shaft about the axis of the shaft portion connected to the swivel means in a manner such that the blade of the paddle can be positioned at a number of angles with respect to the axis of the rod, and gripping means for reciprocably moving the rod and the paddle with respect to the spaced guide means.

2. The boat propelling device of claim 1 wherein locking means are provided between the paddle and the rod to prevent the swiveling of the paddle while positioned for reciprocating movement with respect to the guide means.

3. The boat propelling device of claim 2 wherein the locking means comprises a yoke having legs connected to the shaft of the paddle on opposite sides of the swivel means and a saddle portion is secured to the portion of the yoke connecting legs, the yoke being rotatable with the paddle whereby engagement of saddle portion of yoke with the rod can be selectively obtained.

4. The boat propelling device of claim 1 wherein the rod can be rotated with respect to the spaced guide means to selectively adjust the position of the paddle with respect to the water when connected to a boat.

5. The boat propelling device of claim 4 wherein the spaced guide means include cradle means for supporting the paddle in an inoperative position.

6. The boat propelling device of claim 1 wherein the paddle is provided with roller means adapted to be positioned in rolling contact with a surface of the boat when the device is connected to a boat to guide the paddle when reciprocated With respect to the boat and to reduce the energy required to operate the paddle.

7. The boat propelling device of claim 1 wherein the swivel means comprises a rst block secured to the rod, a second block secured to the shaft of the paddle, the rst block being positioned in moveable engagement with the second block, and a pivot member disposed between the blocks and rotatably connected therebetween to permit the paddle to swivel with respect to the rod.

8. The boat propelling device of claim 7 wherein the second block is rotatably secured to the yshaft of the paddle to permit the rotation of the paddle in a direction differing from the swiveling direction.

9. A paddle propelled boat comprising guide means secured to the boat in aligned spaced relationship, a rod reciprocably mounted on the guide means, swivel means secured to the rod, a paddle having a blade and a shaft connected to the swivel means whereby the paddle may be swiveled in a plane other than the plane of reciprocation of the rod, and gripping means for reciprocably moving the rod -and the paddle relative to the boat.

lil. The boat of claim 9 including a gunwale and wherein the guide means are ysecured to the gunwale in spaced axial alignment and whereby the rod acts to reciprocably move the paddle along the gunwale.

11. The boat of claim 9 including port and starboard gunwales and wherein guide -means are secured to each of the gunwales in spaced axial alignment, a rod is reciprocably mounted on the guide means adjacent each of the gunwales, swivel means are secured to each rod, a paddle having a blade and a shaft is connected to each swivel means, and gripping means are provided for reciprocably moving the rods and the paddles relative to the boat.

12. The boat of claim 11 wherein the gripping means are positioned in the poat for reciprocable movement by the operator While facing forward in the boat.

13. The -boat of claim 11 wherein the shaft of each paddle is rotatably connected to a swivel means for rotation in a plane generally normal to the swiveling plane thereof and in a manner such that the blade of each paddle can be positioned at a number of angles with respect to the gunwales of the boat.

14. The boat of clairn 13 wherein locking means are provided between each of the paddles and rods to swiveling of each of the paddles while positioned for reciprocating movement in relation to the gunwales of the boat.

15. The boat propelling device of claim 13 wherein the rods can be rotated with respect to the spaced guide means upon which each rod is mounted to selectively adjust the position of the paddle with respect to the water.

16. The boat of claim 1S wherein one of the axially spaced guide means on each of the gunwales is provided with a cradle member for supporting -a portion of a paddle in an inoperative position and whereby each rod may be rotated to lift its respective paddle from the water, each paddle may be rotated from a generally downwardly directed position to a generally upwardly directed position and each paddle may be swiveled to align a portion thereof for support by a cradle member.

17. The boat of claim 11 wherein each paddle is provided with roller means adapted to be positioned in rolling contact with a surface of the boat adjacent a gunwale thereof to guide the paddle when reciprocated with respect to the boat and to reduce the energy required to operate the paddle.

18. The boat of claim 11 wherein each of the swivel means comprises a first block secured to a rod, a second block secured to a shaft of a paddle, the first block being positioned in moveable engagement with the second block, a pivot member disposed between the blocks and rotatably connected therebetween ot permit the paddle to swivel with respect to the rod.

19. The boat of claim 18 wherein each of the second blocks is rotatably secured to a shaft of a paddle to permit the rotation of the paddle in a direction differing from the swiveling direction.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 119,544 10/1930 Austria.

6,512 4/ 1884 Great Britain.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

A. H. FARRELL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BOAT PROPELLING DEVICE ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A BOAT COMPRISING A ROD RECIPROCABLY SECURED TO SPACED GUIDE MEANS, SWIVEL MEANS SECURED TO THE ROD, A PADDLE HAVING A BLADE AND AN ELONGATED SHAFT CONNECTED TO THE SWIVEL MEANS WHEREBY THE PADDLE MAY BE SWIVELED IN A PLANE OTHER THAN THAT OF THE PLANE OF RECIPROCATION OF THE ROD, MEANS ROTATABLY CONNECTING THE SHAFT OF THE PADDLE TO THE SWIVEL MEANS FOR ROTATION OF THE PADDLE END SHAFT ABOUT THE AXIS OF THE SHAFT PORTION CONNECTED TO THE SWIVEL MEANS IN A MANNER SUCH THAT THE BLADE OF THE PADDLE CAN BE POSITIONED AT A NUMBER OF ANGLES WITH RESPECT TO THE AXIS OF THE ROD, AND GRIPPING MEANS FOR RECIPROCABLY MOVING THE ROD AND THE PADDLE WITH THE RESPECT TO THE SPACED GUIDE MEANS. 